The Boston Bruins have a new face in the locker room: Tanner Jeannot. The 28-year-old Canadian forward officially joined the Bruins on July 1st, 2025, signing a five-year, $17 million contract with an average annual value of $3.4 million. This move marks the next chapter in Jeannot's NHL career, which has seen him play for the Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Los Angeles Kings.
Jeannot, born on May 29, 1997, in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada, developed his hockey skills in the Estevan Minor Hockey Association. He played major junior hockey with the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Despite going undrafted, his consistent performance and leadership qualities earned him a three-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators on April 2, 2018.
Jeannot made his NHL debut with the Predators on March 2, 2021. His breakout season came in 2021-22 when he recorded a career-high 24 goals and 17 assists for 41 points. However, he hasn't reached that level of production since. In 294 career NHL games, Jeannot has accumulated 49 goals and 44 assists for 93 points, along with 403 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games, tallying three assists. During the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Kings, Jeannot posted 7 goals and 6 assists, totaling 13 points in 67 games. He missed the end of the regular season and the playoffs due to a lower-body injury.
Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney believes Jeannot will bring needed energy and physicality to the team. Sweeney emphasized a desire to make the Bruins harder to play against, and Jeannot's style of play aligns with that vision. Jeannot himself is excited to join the Bruins organization, recognizing its history and culture. He aims to be a significant contributor to the team's success, embodying the Bruins' traditional hard-nosed style.
While some have questioned the Bruins' decision to sign Jeannot to a five-year deal, citing his inconsistent offensive output since his impressive 2021-22 season, others believe his physical presence and potential for contributing to team toughness are valuable assets. Some analysts suggest Jeannot can help take some of the burden off players like Nikita Zadorov in terms of physical play and fighting. It is also worth noting that Elliotte Friedman reported that around 10 teams showed interest in Jeannot during free agency.
With his blend of physicality and potential for offensive contributions, Jeannot hopes to become a valuable asset for the Boston Bruins.
